Grout - Removing Hand Tool

ABSTRACT

This invention is directed to a grout removal tool comprising: a frame having a proximal end and a distal end; a blade removably attached to the distal end of the frame; a wheel rotatably attached to the proximal end of the frame for supporting the frame above a surface; a pressure pad rotatably attached to the frame having a pressure pad cavity defined in the pressure pad for receiving a portion of the frame; a hinge pin disposed inside the pressure pad cavity; a hinge pin opening defined in the rearward portion of the frame for receiving the hinge pin allowing the pressure pad to rotate from a open position to a closed position; and, a detent assembly having a first member carried by the pressure pad and a second member carried by the frame juxtaposed when the pressure pad is in a closed position.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority on U.S. provisional application Serial No. 91/489,323 filed on May 24, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to grout removing tool and more specifically a grout removal tool that allows for even pressure to be placed upon the tool when removing grout.

2) Description of Related Art

When a user wishes to restore, replace or remove tile, the grout or mortar needs to be removed. Further, the grout or mortar itself can be replaced when it is worn, damaged or stained.

One type of tool is a hand-held grout removal tool where a user may guide a blade within a grout joint to manually cut or grind the grout away using a sawing motion. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,718 discloses a grout removal tool having an elongated handle which extends towards a blade or scraper. Although these hand-held tools are inexpensive, they are difficult and time consuming in their use. Further, the angle of the blade and the pressure applied to the grout need to be determined by a skilled user to avoid mistakes and damaged tile. Generally, these devices require that the user position the device at a certain angle and that pressure applied to the device is controlled by “feel” of the user.

Attempt to make grout removal tools more efficient has led to the introduction of motorized grout removal tools. Examples of these tools include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,646,675; 6,678,959; and 6,719,504 and United State Published Patent Application 2009/0119930. These tools, while faster in operation, are more powerful and harder to control leading to tile damage and preventing the preservation of existing tile for reuse. The disadvantage is magnified when the tile involved is expensive, rare, hand painted and custom. Such tile would require a high degree of control in operating a grout removal tool.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved tool for easily removing grout that applies a consistent and even pressure and angle of incident between the blade/scraper and the grout or mortar.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a tool that is easy to operate and requires less training for successful operation.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a tool that can more easily apply even pressure between the blade or scraper and the grout to be removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives are accomplished according to the present invention by providing a grout removal tool with a frame having a proximal end and a distal end; a removable blade attached to the distal end of the frame; a wheel rotatably attached to the proximal end of the frame for supporting the frame above a surface; a pressure pad rotatably attached to the frame having a pressure pad cavity defined in the pressure pad for receiving a portion of the frame; a hinge pin disposed inside the pressure pad cavity; a hinge pin opening defined in the rearward portion of the frame for receiving the hinge pin allowing the pressure pad to rotate from a open position to a closed position; and, a detent assembly having a first member carried by the pressure pad and a second member carried by the frame juxtaposed when the pressure pad is in a closed position. In one embodiment, the pressure pad is generally a triangular shape.

The invention can include a spare blade cavity arranged in the top of the frame to store spare blades vertically. The invention can include grip protrusions carried by the pressure pad to improve gripping the pressure pad. A blade cavity can be defined in the forward portion of the frame for receiving the blade. A removable blade securing member can be attached to the frame for securing the blade in the blade cavity. A securing pin can be carried by the securing member for being received by a frame pin opening and a blade pin opening when the securing member is attached to the frame; the hinge pin opening can generally be in an “L” configuration.

The frame can include an asymmetrical curved portion corresponding to an asymmetrical recess defined in the pressure pad cavity whereby the asymmetrical curved portion and the asymmetrical recess are juxtaposed when the pressure pad is in a closed position.

The blade can include a planar portion attached to an upward angled portion disposed on a distal end of the blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof and will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the blades of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a side view of an aspects of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the aspects of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of aspects of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of aspects of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of aspects of the invention; and,

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

It will be understood by those skilled in the art, that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can meet other objectives. Each objective may not apply equally, in all its respects, to every aspect of this invention. As such, the preceding objects can be viewed in the alternative with respect to any one aspect of this invention. These and other objects and features of the invention will become more fully apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying figures and examples. However, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are of a preferred embodiment and not restrictive of the invention or other alternate embodiments of the invention. In particular, while the invention is described herein with reference to a number of specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that the description is illustrative of the invention and is not constructed as limiting of the invention. Various modifications and applications may occur to those who are skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as described by the appended claims. Likewise, other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from this summary and certain embodiments described below, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above in conjunction with the accompanying examples, data, figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom, alone or with consideration of the references incorporated herein.

With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail. Referring now to FIG. 1, the invention, which is generally shown as A, is described in more detail. A pressure pad 10 can be an ergonomic shape shown generally as triangular in FIG. 1. A pressure pad cavity 12 can be defined in said pressure pad for receiving a frame 15.

The pressure pad can include gripping protrusions 14 designed to provide the user with a better grip around the pressure pad 10. The pressure pad allows generally, the palm of the hand to be placed on a proximate end of the pressure pad 11 and the fingers of the user to wrap around the pressure pad between the gripping protrusions.

The invention further include a wheel 16 that is rotatably carried by a proximate end 13 of frame 15 and can be disposed below the pressure pad 10. In one embodiment, a first wheel 16 a is disposed on one side of the frame and a second wheel 16 b is disposed on the opposite side of the frame. The wheels 16 a and 16 b can be joined by an axle that penetrates said frame. The wheels carry the frame above the surface contacting the wheels.

In one embodiment, the wheels have a radius of approximately 1.5 cm in diameter. In one embodiment, the wheels comprise between 25% and 35% of the horizontal length of the frame. In one embodiment, the wheels include a hub carried by an axle and a tire carried by the hub. The hub can include a polymer such as polyethylene, while the tire can be an elastomer such as silicone and rubber. Having the hub made from a firmer material than the tire lends support so a cushioning function can be provided which can also provide additional protection for the underlying tile.

An internal blade cavity can be defined in a distal portion 18, the frame for receiving blades 24. A blade securing member 22 can be included to secure blade 24 into the blade cavity thereby securing the blade to the frame. In one embodiment, the securing member includes securing pin 25 a and 25 b attached to the securing member. These pins are received into and penetrate one side of the frame adjacent to the blade cavity, penetrate into openings 28 (FIG. 3) in the blade, respectively, and into openings defined in the interior of the blade cavity to secure the blade to the frame. A clip 27 can be used in the securing member to secure the securing member to the frame. The securing member is further illustrated in FIG. 4A.

Blade 24 is laterally spaced from the wheels, with the edge of the blade being generally in the same plane as the bottom of the wheels. The arrangement of the pressure pad above the wheels, which are laterally spaced from the blade, allows the tool to remove grout or the like with relative ease as it is moved across the surface. The pressure pad is arranged so that the force placed on the handle by the user's palm is applied both to the wheels 16 and the blade 24. This allows the tool to be rolled along the surface so that blade 24 can remove the grout. As the user rolls the hand tool along the grout, pressure is applied on the grout by the blade, thus loosening and removing the grout.

The point where the wheels contact the ground act as the fulcrum point for the plane created by the bottom of the wheels 16 and bottom edge of the blade 24. The pressure between the blade 24 and the grout can be varied by changing the amount of forward force being applied to the handle 10 in the direction of the blade housing. As a forward force applied to the handle in the general direction of the blade housing is increased, the blade housing 18, and thus the blade 24, are rotated in the clockwise direction generally shown as B in FIG. 1. As the blade is rotated in direction B, the pressure between the grout and the blade 24 is increased so that as the tool is rolled across the grout, the force from the blade will cause more grout to be removed.

The frame can also include a spare blade cavity 20 defined in the top of the frame. The spade blade cavity is adapted to receive and store extra blades. In FIG. 2, one embodiment can store the spare blades vertically. The pressure pad, in an open position as shown in FIG. 1, can be placed in a closed position shown in FIG. 10. In this position, pressure pad 10 receive a portion of the frame. Further, clip 27 is shown on an interior side of the proximate portion of the frame.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, pin receiving member 40 is attached to the frame using a “T” and slot configuration so that the pin receiving member slides into a slot 42 defined in the frame. This secures the pin receiving member to the frame. The pin securing member can include openings 44 a and 44 b which receive the pins of the securing member.

To secure the pressure pad in a closed position, a detent system can be included having a first member 36 (FIG. 6) carried by the pressure pad and a second member 26 defined in the frame. When the pressure pad is in the closed position, the first member and the second member are juxtaposed. Therefore, when the user lifts the pressure pad, the frame is lifted from the surface as well.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the blades may be more clearly seen. Blades 24 and 24 a can have a trapezoidal shape with openings 28 disposed along the top of the blades. Openings 28 are adapted to receive a pin, screw, bolt, peg or other fasteners generally known in the art to secure the blade within the frame.

Blade 24 has a rough surface 30 along the blade's entire edge. This rough surface may be provided by means of a coating or markings, impressions that are disposed on the bottom of the blade. The blade surface may be roughened by other means well known in the art. Further, blade 24 has a front portion 32 that is radiused, thus, enhancing the ability of the blade to travel along the grout. Blade 24 also as a planar portion 38 which, when in use, is parallel to the grout and surface. In one embodiment, the planar surface is approximately 90% of the cutting or grinding surface.

Blade 24 a is substantially similar to blade 24, but has a serrated bottom edge 34. In one embodiment, the blade has a proximate end 40 which includes a radius. In one embodiment, the proximate end 40 of the blade is approximately a right angle.

Referring to FIG. 5, a hinge pin opening 50 can be is defined in the frame. The hinge pin opening can have generally an “L” shape with a opening end 52 and a generally circular end 54. The hinge pin opening receives a hinge pin 56 (FIG. 6) carried by the pressure pad. The hinge pin and hinge pin opening cooperate to remove and rotatably attach the pressure pad to the frame. Therefore, the pressure pad can have an open position as shown in FIG. 1 and a closed position as shown in FIG. 10. In one embodiment, the hinge pin is attached to the interior of the pressure pad cavity, perpendicular to an axis 58 (FIG. 10) of the pressure pad.

In one embodiment, a pressure pad insert 60 (FIG. 7) is received by the pressure pad cavity and includes the hinge pin and the detent assembly first member. The pressure pad insert includes a curved portion 62 corresponding to a curved portion in the pressure pad cavity to increase points of contact between the pressure pad cavity and the pressure pad insert. The pressure pad insert can include an asymmetrical recess 64 positioned on the opposite side as the curved portion 62. The pressure pad insert asymmetrical portion corresponds to an asymmetrical curve 66 on the top of said frame so that the contact points between the pressure pad insert and the frame are increased. In one embodiment, the asymmetrical recess is included in the pressure pad in the pressure pad cavity.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A grout removal tool comprising: a frame having a proximal end and a distal end; a blade removably attached to said distal end of said frame; a wheel rotatably attached to said proximal end of said frame for supporting said frame above a surface; a pressure pad rotatably attached to said frame having a pressure pad cavity defined in said pressure pad for receiving a portion of said frame; a hinge pin disposed inside said pressure pad cavity; a hinge pin opening defined in said rearward portion of said frame for receiving said hinge pin allowing said pressure pad to rotate from a open position to a closed position; a detent assembly having a first member carried by said pressure pad and a second member carried by said frame juxtaposed when said pressure pad is in a closed position; and, whereas said wheels and said blade form generally a plane increasing the contact of the blade to the surface.
 2. The tool of claim 1 including a spare blade cavity defined in the top of said frame for receiving and storing spare blades.
 3. The tool of claim 2 wherein said spare blade cavity is arranged in said frame to store spare blades in a vertically orientation.
 4. The tool of claim 1 including grip protrusions carried by said pressure pad to improve gripping said pressure pad.
 5. The tool of claim 1 including a blade cavity defined in said forward portion for receiving said blade.
 6. The tool of claim 5 including a blade securing member removably attached to said frame for securing said blade in said blade cavity.
 7. The tool of claim 6 including a securing pin carried by said securing member for being received by a frame pin opening and a blade pin opening when said securing member is attached to said frame.
 8. The tool of claim 1 wherein said hinge pin opening is generally in an L configuration.
 9. The tool of claim 1 wherein said top of said frame includes an asymmetrical curved portion corresponding to an asymmetrical recess defined in said pressure pad cavity whereby said asymmetrical curved portion and said asymmetrical recess are juxtaposed when said pressure pad is in a closed position.
 10. The tool of claim 1 wherein said blade includes a planar portion attached to an upward angled portion disposed on a distal end of said blade.
 11. The tool of claim 1 wherein said pressure pad includes a generally triangular shape.
 12. A grout removal tool comprising: a frame having a wheel rotatably attached to a proximal end of said frame for supporting said frame above a surface; a blade cavity defined in a distal end of said frame for receiving a blade; and, a pressure pad attached to said frame.
 13. The tool of claim 12 including: a blade received in said blade cavity; and, a securing member removably attached to said frame for securing said blade in said blade cavity.
 14. The tool of claim 12 including a first wheel disposed on one side of said frame and a second wheel disposed on the other side of said frame.
 15. The tool of claim 12 including a hinge assembly for hingedly attaching said pressure pad to said frame allowing said pressure pad to rotate from an open position to a closed position.
 16. The tool of claim 15 including a detent assembly for securing said pressure pad in a closed position.
 17. A grout removal tool comprising: a frame; a pressure pad rotatably attached to said frame; a blade removably attached to said frame; and, a pair of wheels carried by said frame wherein a first wheel is disposed on one side of said frame and a second wheel is disposed of on an opposite side of said frame so that said wheels and said blade define a plane which is in contact with a working surface.
 18. The tool of claim 17 including a securing member for securing said blade in a blade cavity defined in said frame.
 19. The tool of claim 17 including a vertically orientated spare blade cavity defined in the top of said cavity and accessible when said pressure pad is rotated in an open position.
 20. The tool of claim 17 wherein: said pressure pad is removably attached to said frame; and a detent assembly having a first member attached to said pressure pad and a second member attached to said frame for securing said pressure pad in a closed position. 